Stagecoach suspends tomorrow's strikes - but Arriva strike still set to go ahead

Stagecoach has confirmed that ALL strikes on its services have been called off after a pay deal was agreed.

Strikes planned for last Saturday and for tomorrow had already been cancelled so union members could vote on a new pay offer.

Two more strike days - one next Monday and one the Monday after - were technically still in place while the vote took place.

But now Stagecoach Merseyside managing director Rob Jones says:

“We are pleased to confirm that the revised pay deal on offer has been accepted by union members. “As a result, the union has called off the strike action planned for 23rd and 30th of October and so all services will operate as normal for our customers on those days. There are no further strike days expected.”

But remember - Arriva drivers are set to go on strike tomorrow and on October 23 and 30 as their pay row rumbles on.

Stagecoach buses

16:50

Police seize cannabis farm worth £800k in Haydock

Merseyside Police specialist Cannabis Dismantling Team has seized a cannabis farm worth over £800,000 a year after after a raid on Monday.Officers recovered 217 plants across various rooms inside the property. Enquiries are ongoing to establish who was responsible and anyone who was aware of any suspicious circumstances recently is asked to call police with information.

Cannabis Dismantling Team Sergeant Kevin Coakley said:

“It is pleasing to have dismantled such a large-scale farm with all the associated risks that it brings. Whoever was responsible has used rooms throughout the house for the purpose of growing cannabis, overloading the electricity sockets in the process, and through sheer luck, a fire has not been started within”

We’ll bring you more on this story soon.

16:27

Armed officers seen in Liverpool city centre after reports of man with gun in suitcase

A man is understood to have been detained after reports of a man touring a number of city centre pubs with what onlookers said was a gun in a suitcase.

Armed response officers were reported being seen at the Midland pub, in Ranelagh St.

We are bringing you up to the minute updates on this breaking news HERE.

Craig Smith, 28, of Woodville Road, Birkenhead is accused of the murder of two year old Teddy Tilston.

Former bar manager Craig Smith, 28, told mental health practitioner Lauren Diggory he had always struggled with anger and had “demons in my head” after his arrest over the death of two-year-old Teddy Tilston.

Teddy Tilston

14:17

Queens Drive congestion

Back on the roads and Queens Drive is busy at B5178 Childwall Valley Road (Five Ways Roundabout).

14:11KEY EVENT

Southport FC announce new manager

Former Bolton striker Kevin Davies has been announced as the new Southport FC manager.

How much do you love Football Manager? Not as much as this fan

A Chinese Football Manager player has made a remarkable 12,000-mile pilgrimage to visit the tiny team he turned into a superpower in the game.

Huang Wenbin played Championship Manager 01/02 as Runcorn, with the minnows rising from the Conference to the Premier League under his stewardship, winning the league, FA Cup, UEFA Cup and Super Cup along the way.

Travel latest

Delays in St Helens on the A58 Linkway West between Linkway East (Cannington Roundabout) and A571 King Street (Asda roundabout).

10:56KEY EVENT

Live cannabis farm fire demonstration

Live video (you may have to refresh the page) - a cannabis farm has been set up in an industrial unit and the electricity overloaded to cause a fire as Merseyside fire and police officials highlight the dangers of them.

10:45

Garston accident update

Speke Road is flowing as normal after the accident by the Matchworks in Garston.

10:28KEY EVENT

Cannabis farm fire demonstration

A cannabis farm has been set up in an industrial unit and the electricity overloaded to cause a fire as Merseyside fire and police officials highlight the dangers of them.